OTLA Leadership Academy

D’Amore Law Group Proudly Sponsors the OTLA Leadership Academy

During the winter months of 2017 the Oregon Trial Lawyers Association (OTLA) launched the inaugural leadership academy. The academy was the brainchild of Shenoa Payne, Portland attorney specializing in employment and appellate law, and is modeled after the leadership academy hosted by the American Association for Justice (AAJ) and other trial attorney groups from across the United States. Shenoa saw firsthand the positive impact of the program’s curriculum and knew it would be good for OTLA. Working with OTLA staff and executive director, Beth Bernard, Shenoa brought the program to life here in Oregon.

The objective of the OLA (OTLA Leadership Academy) is to identify potential leaders within OTLA, leaders that may have been reticent to come forward without this unique opportunity. Participants must be new lawyers with experience ranging from 0 to 10 years. The selection process focuses on many different skill sets and attributes – such as leadership experience, community involvement, commitment to OTLA and how the applicant will bring diversity to the leadership of OTLA.

The staff developed curriculum with these new lawyers in mind, which included leadership training, a day at the Capitol, personal development and much more. And, by all accounts the program has been well received and appreciated.

With year one successfully in the books, the future looks bright for the OTLA Leadership Academy. The contributions of many, including the OTLA Executive Committee and Board, annual sponsors and multiple members have turned a great idea into reality.

What the OTLA’s Leadership Academy participants have to say:

“The common theme I took away from our various meetings was how well-represented OTLA is and how big a role OTLA plays in promoting laws protecting Oregon consumers. Several legislators commented their body has far too few attorneys and empathized how much they count on OTLA to help navigate complex legal issues.” ~Michael Fuller

“The opportunity to work with OTLA staff, learn about the different committees and programs offered, and getting sponsored to attend the AAJ Winter Convention in Austin, Texas; has really shown me what a great association we have.” ~RonCheng

“Shenoa Payne and Tom D’Amore have put an enormous amount of work into organizing this group and providing us with an amazing experience. The OTLA staff has been fantastic, as always, and made each of our experiences run smoothly. Beth Bernard is such an outstanding example of leadership that even if the Academy only consisted of watching her lead OTLA in such a classy, gracious, firm manner, it would be worth participating.”

~ Meredith Holley

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